Figuring out what to do with the inside of your home can sometimes be difficult, because there are not always obvious choices or solutions.
But, fear not frustrated homeowners. With a little dedicated space planning you can live in a more organized and comfortable space, one that best utilizes what you already have. Whether you’re trying to break-up and segment a larger space, or figure out how to make the most of a small space, a few helpful guidelines can get you started.
Flex Rooms
A recent trend is rooms that are flexible. Create rooms that serve multiple purposes, such as dining room that is also a library with large bookshelves. An office nook can transform into a play area for kids, while an extra room with a day bed can be a guest room or an office. Flexible is always best. In a larger room, flexible furniture like ottomans can help define a space but also can be moved easily.
Traffic Patterns
Make the most of traffic patterns to segment areas and break up spaces. In narrow spaces, face furniture away from pass-through areas to establish a seating or entertainment zone. Keeping an open space to one side of any room will effectively create a natural hallway with the living area on the opposite side. In smaller spaces, place seating and furniture in corner arrangements facing each other, with the pass-through area to the side. Also, circular dining tables and coffee tables that serve as the focal point for seating establish their own area in a long room while pushing traffic to the outside.
Create a Zone
Creating different “zones” in a space can help define and segment your space. A simple way is area rugs, which can pull together a group of furniture or segment a portion of a larger room. Break up a large space by using furnishings to create a zone at one end. Turn the seating toward each other, or place a long sofa perpendicular to the rest of the room to create clearly defined space.
Utilize Bookcases or Dividers
If your problem is an overly large or narrow room, use bookcases and other dividers to visually divide large or linear rooms into smaller, more usable spaces. Place the bookcase off the wall, perpendicular to the long room or next to a sofa to create a private seating area or media section that feels separate from the larger area. Other room divider ideas – for rooms big or small – could include sliding screens, oversized frames hanging from the ceiling, folding panels or even wine storage racks.
But, fear not frustrated homeowners. With a little dedicated space planning you can live in a more organized and comfortable space, one that best utilizes what you already have. Whether you’re trying to break-up and segment a larger space, or figure out how to make the most of a small space, a few helpful guidelines can get you started.
Flex Rooms
A recent trend is rooms that are flexible. Create rooms that serve multiple purposes, such as dining room that is also a library with large bookshelves. An office nook can transform into a play area for kids, while an extra room with a day bed can be a guest room or an office. Flexible is always best. In a larger room, flexible furniture like ottomans can help define a space but also can be moved easily.
Traffic Patterns
Make the most of traffic patterns to segment areas and break up spaces. In narrow spaces, face furniture away from pass-through areas to establish a seating or entertainment zone. Keeping an open space to one side of any room will effectively create a natural hallway with the living area on the opposite side. In smaller spaces, place seating and furniture in corner arrangements facing each other, with the pass-through area to the side. Also, circular dining tables and coffee tables that serve as the focal point for seating establish their own area in a long room while pushing traffic to the outside.
Create a Zone
Creating different “zones” in a space can help define and segment your space. A simple way is area rugs, which can pull together a group of furniture or segment a portion of a larger room. Break up a large space by using furnishings to create a zone at one end. Turn the seating toward each other, or place a long sofa perpendicular to the rest of the room to create clearly defined space.
Utilize Bookcases or Dividers
If your problem is an overly large or narrow room, use bookcases and other dividers to visually divide large or linear rooms into smaller, more usable spaces. Place the bookcase off the wall, perpendicular to the long room or next to a sofa to create a private seating area or media section that feels separate from the larger area. Other room divider ideas – for rooms big or small – could include sliding screens, oversized frames hanging from the ceiling, folding panels or even wine storage racks.